Colonels drop pair at softball tourney

From staff reports

Published: Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 12:28 a.m.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Nicholls State University softball team combined for only seven hits in the first day of the Magic City Classic, as the Colonels fell in both games, losing 4-1 to UAB before falling 9-1 in six innings to Samford Friday at the UAB Softball Field.

Nicholls (7-9 overall) recorded two hits in the loss to UAB, with seniors Ashley Bertot and Ashton Bennett having a single each. Bennett's base hit in the fourth led to Nicholls' lone run as she came in to score on an error, cutting the lead down to 2-1.

But the Colonels gave the run right back as UAB scored in the bottom half on an unearned run. UAB got a solo home run in the fifth before holding Nicholls hitless in the final two innings to win 4-1.

Hannah Haydel (2-4) took the loss, giving up two earned runs on five hits. The freshman tossed all six innings, striking out four while walking two.

In game two, Samford pulled away with a 5-run fifth inning and add two more in the bottom of the sixth for a walkoff mercy rule victory.

Senior Ashton Bennett (5-3) suffered her worst outing of the season, being tagged for eight earned runs on 12 hits. Samford belted four doubles and two home runs in 4 1/3 innings against Bennett.

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